Smashing Pumpkins Founder Sues Filmmaker

CHICAGO (CN) – After Smashing Pumpkins’ founder Billy Corgan paid Lester Cohn of Pure DV Productions to film documentary footage of Corgan’s Chicago performances, Cohn held part of the film hostage and unreasonably demanded more money, Corgan claims in Cook County Court.

Corgan says he fully paid Cohn to film his performances and studio sessions in the Chicago area from 2003 to at least 2005. Cohn allegedly got the job by touting his filmmaking expertise, but Corgan claims the portion of work he did provide “was completely unsatisfactory and not completed in a professional, workmanlike manner in accordance with the standards of a music filmmaker.” Corgan wants Cohn to pay him more than $100,000 for refusing to deliver part of the footage. He is represented by Barnes & Thornburg.